I have firearms that I would use in defense of my life but I also have many that are mostly for fun. It seems that many people only focus on the serious use of firearms. For example they will state that "when your heart is racing you will not be able to operate those controls due to your loss of fine motor skills". I also hear " the grips on that weapon are too slick if your hands are sweating or covered in blood". I know this may anger some people but I have many guns that are toys. I would not use these firearms in a serious situation. I just think that too many people are getting wrapped up in being tactical or worrying about self defense. Sometimes you just need to relax and have fun. Not every gun you own has to be so serious.
Why can't guns just be for fun?
- Thread starter gfpd707
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guyfromohio
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Agreed. There is this myth that if you go to the range with anything but your carry weapon, you're doing something wrong. My friends golf. I shoot.
Snowdog
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Half the firearms I own I would never dream of using for defense, so I'd agree with you.
Personally, I find old military surplus and even black powder percussion and flintlocks the most fun to shoot. I can guarantee you I'd never consider my Pietta 1858 Remington or Pedersoli 1805 Harper's Ferry pistol my "go-to" for anything, but they sure are fun to shoot.
Personally, I find old military surplus and even black powder percussion and flintlocks the most fun to shoot. I can guarantee you I'd never consider my Pietta 1858 Remington or Pedersoli 1805 Harper's Ferry pistol my "go-to" for anything, but they sure are fun to shoot.
Jason_W
Member
Even my "tactical" guns are for fun, including the "fun" that goes along with hunting. It's likely a function of the role guns played during my formative years. In my neck of the woods, the primary function of firearms was taking game animals (if you were very good or lucky) or punching holes in tin cans. The fact that guns could be applied for tactical purposes was a very faint and distant thought.
While the whole combat training, being constantly in condition yellow, thing has it's place, it does get a little draining and I wonder how many would-be new shooters are put off and intimidated by that prevailing mentality.
While the whole combat training, being constantly in condition yellow, thing has it's place, it does get a little draining and I wonder how many would-be new shooters are put off and intimidated by that prevailing mentality.
bannockburn
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gfpd707
I would also agree with your premise that there's way too much emphasis (and hype), as to the tactical application of so many guns, while the recreational aspect is often downplayed or overlooked completely. I enjoy plinking with my .22LR guns, hunting with my shotguns, and target shooting with my single action revolvers.
I would also agree with your premise that there's way too much emphasis (and hype), as to the tactical application of so many guns, while the recreational aspect is often downplayed or overlooked completely. I enjoy plinking with my .22LR guns, hunting with my shotguns, and target shooting with my single action revolvers.
When you really get down to looking at the numbers 99.9% of firearms held by John Q. Public are never going to be used for a defense situation....and that number would be higher if you think about legal guns. There are a great many people that are interested in guns that are....well....just a little nutty. Do I keep a gun next to my bed and in my living room...yes, but that is more for the coyote that gets too close then anything else.
I think this has gotten a little more in the for front with all the attn. that CCW and black rifles are getting lately. 10-12 years ago I do not remember all of this self defense stuff that is running around.
I too will expect to draw flack, but when you think about the number of firearms off all kinds sold the number used to do bad things is pretty small. I know the only thing I have ever shot has been pests around the farm...most times the only thing that dies around my house is pop cans.
I think this has gotten a little more in the for front with all the attn. that CCW and black rifles are getting lately. 10-12 years ago I do not remember all of this self defense stuff that is running around.
I too will expect to draw flack, but when you think about the number of firearms off all kinds sold the number used to do bad things is pretty small. I know the only thing I have ever shot has been pests around the farm...most times the only thing that dies around my house is pop cans.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Different tastes for different people. Different purposes for different guns.
Sometimes folks assume something because of the nature of the gun you're discussing (or shooting), especially if your interests in it lie outside its original intended uses.
If you're shooting a .458 double rifle, it isn't surprising that someone might ask about your plans for an African hunt.
If you're shooting a 1911 or Glock, someone might realistically assume you intend it for defensive and/or competition uses.
If you're shooting a .454 Super Blackhawk, someone might want to talk about hunting with a revolver.
If you just own those guns as range toys, that's fine, you just might find yourself having to say so occasionally as people associate them with certain purposes -- not as pop-can plinkers.
If you're out blasting with a Desert Eagle .50, or plinking with a Ruger Mk. II, or target shooting with your Anschutz and someone starts yammering about how they aren't optimal for combat or self-defense --
-- just pat them on the head and tell them to "run along and play, the adults are busy here."
Sometimes folks assume something because of the nature of the gun you're discussing (or shooting), especially if your interests in it lie outside its original intended uses.
If you're shooting a .458 double rifle, it isn't surprising that someone might ask about your plans for an African hunt.
If you're shooting a 1911 or Glock, someone might realistically assume you intend it for defensive and/or competition uses.
If you're shooting a .454 Super Blackhawk, someone might want to talk about hunting with a revolver.
If you just own those guns as range toys, that's fine, you just might find yourself having to say so occasionally as people associate them with certain purposes -- not as pop-can plinkers.
If you're out blasting with a Desert Eagle .50, or plinking with a Ruger Mk. II, or target shooting with your Anschutz and someone starts yammering about how they aren't optimal for combat or self-defense --
-- just pat them on the head and tell them to "run along and play, the adults are busy here." lowerunit411
Member
I have guns for hunting and some for just plinking and some for self and home defense and a few just beacuse and they are all fun. I never really got in to the tactical mind set. The first tactical weapon that i was ever responsible for was a McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II. Unfortunately, they didnt let me keep it...........ill just have to take my chances with the zombie apocolypse.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Most of my guns are for fun.
I was originally a "sporting purposes" and "curio, ornament or keepsake" gun owner for years until personal discussions with two city detectives and a corrections officer in the 1970s convinced me self-defense was vital.
I have three guns (two revolvers, shotgun) as designated home defense weapons. Of the guns I shoot in the modern and vintage military matches--Mosin-Nagant, Yugo M70AB2, M1 carbine, CZ52, AO 1911 clone, C96--I would consider using as a weapon only the 1911 (shot the .45 in qualification for handgun carry permit). I think of the military guns as collectibles. Most of my guns are keepsakes, field guns (although I haven't been hunting in years) or "range toys" recreational use only.
I was originally a "sporting purposes" and "curio, ornament or keepsake" gun owner for years until personal discussions with two city detectives and a corrections officer in the 1970s convinced me self-defense was vital.
I have three guns (two revolvers, shotgun) as designated home defense weapons. Of the guns I shoot in the modern and vintage military matches--Mosin-Nagant, Yugo M70AB2, M1 carbine, CZ52, AO 1911 clone, C96--I would consider using as a weapon only the 1911 (shot the .45 in qualification for handgun carry permit). I think of the military guns as collectibles. Most of my guns are keepsakes, field guns (although I haven't been hunting in years) or "range toys" recreational use only.
Bobson
Member
I've actually only been to a range with defensive training in mind a handful of times in my life, and each time was while I was working in the AF. Every time I've ever gone to the range on my own, I was just there to have fun. So for me, shooting with defense in mind is something I'm looking forward to doing because its going to be a change of pace. I expect it to be fun, at least for a while.
Carl N. Brown
Member
That is a crying shame. As I understand it, after the Civil War, most veterans were allowed to keep their service weapon. Given that the gov't replaces and upgrades periodically, that made more sense than stockpiling obsolete, used weapons.
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I agree, 99% of my guns are for my entertainment. One of my biggest pet peeves is the gun snobs that have to run down what other people buy on the "I'd never trust my life to that pos" nonsense. Too many guys act like every gun you own is supposed to be tactical and combat-worthy. I shoot for fun, not combat. But if combat should come around, I've got guns for that too.
Armored farmer
Member
You're right! Most of my shooting, by far, has been at clay pigeons....just for fun.
At the risk of getting flamed, a lot of gun people are at fault. In fact, I'm surprised one of them hasn't shown up in this thread yet.
Every time somebody brings up "guns are fun" or "guns are range toys", some meathead makes it their mission to come into the thread and beat the person down and say "no gun is a toy" or "all guns are dangerous". It's like they don't have a funny bone in their body - all serious and no play. You see the same mentality in the Zombie ammo threads. I know THR prides itself on being a serious gun forum, but it also can make it pretty sterile. It's a turnoff to some people - especially noobies.
Now, I'm not saying they are wrong. Guns are certainly dangerous, but it doesn't help our cause to be so heavy all the time.
/my 2 cents
Every time somebody brings up "guns are fun" or "guns are range toys", some meathead makes it their mission to come into the thread and beat the person down and say "no gun is a toy" or "all guns are dangerous". It's like they don't have a funny bone in their body - all serious and no play. You see the same mentality in the Zombie ammo threads. I know THR prides itself on being a serious gun forum, but it also can make it pretty sterile. It's a turnoff to some people - especially noobies.
Now, I'm not saying they are wrong. Guns are certainly dangerous, but it doesn't help our cause to be so heavy all the time.
/my 2 cents
JohnBT
Member
We need color-coded name tags for range use so we know who to talk to.
I had a grad school professor way back when who thought this up for conferences:
White - I'm serious, talk to me about business
White/Red - Let's get a drink and talk some shop
Red - Give me a beer/where's the women at?
I had a grad school professor way back when who thought this up for conferences:
White - I'm serious, talk to me about business
White/Red - Let's get a drink and talk some shop
Red - Give me a beer/where's the women at?
Blackstone
Member
Guess what I've found the #1 argument for gun control is in the UK: Guns were designed to kill people and should all be banned. If you want to have fun, do something else.
dannyr3_8
Member
i am so jealous of you
guns are for fun. some have a dual or even triple purpose (hunting and or self defense), but even the most serious of guns can also be used for fun. if all we did was use guns seriously, then most people would only have a few guns in their home. this is NOT to be confused with TAKING GUNS SERIOUSLY. because if you do not, someone will most likely get hurt, or dead. my guess is that 90% of the ammo shot in this country is shot in fun. and the rest is divided into law enforcement / practice, actual self defense, and hunting. if everyone in America quit having fun with their guns, every single firearm manufacturer in the USA would shut their doors, and all but one or two ammo manufacturing facilities as well.
lowerunit411
Member
valnar...dont forget fighting stars....should be banned
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
You have to realize that most new shooters (and there are millions of them) get a gun because they want to CC or defend their home. They get a Glock or a .38 snubby and call it good.
The "fun" guns come later, or not at all.
The "fun" guns come later, or not at all.
Deus Machina
Member
Well, of course my CCW and my 'practical' AK are made to be used with adrenaline going, hands bloodsoaked, and memorized and built for use in the dark, under incoming fire, with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man rampaging down the street.
Outside of that? I could defend myself with anything else I own, but in that same vein I could defend my life by swinging a Wii remote around.
The closest thing to a 'toy' I have is my Marlin Model 60, and that's in a polished stock with no checkering, stored unloaded, and requires that rounds be fed one at a time through a hole in the magazine tube that will routinely put your hand directly in front of the muzzle. Not exactly what I would call a military arm.
Fun guns are great, but I personally find the mechanics of a weapon or the actual shooting time more fun than the upkeep and challenge of using it.
Outside of that? I could defend myself with anything else I own, but in that same vein I could defend my life by swinging a Wii remote around.
The closest thing to a 'toy' I have is my Marlin Model 60, and that's in a polished stock with no checkering, stored unloaded, and requires that rounds be fed one at a time through a hole in the magazine tube that will routinely put your hand directly in front of the muzzle. Not exactly what I would call a military arm.
Fun guns are great, but I personally find the mechanics of a weapon or the actual shooting time more fun than the upkeep and challenge of using it.
Carl N. Brown
Member
Angry Han,Post # 17, I noticed that line from Rebecca Peters (IANSA) in the Kings College Debate with Wayne LaPierre (NRA) over whether the US Senate should approve the UN gun treaty.
Between the "sporting purposes" clause in the our US 1968 GCA and the rising support for defensive gun use (Heller and MacDonald SCOTUS decisions), sporting use is inshrined in US federal law, and self-defense is gaining in legal recognition, so we got two bases covered.
If you take the designed as weapon should be used only as weapon to its logical extreme, we should tell Olympic athletes "That javelin ain't no sporting toy. You should be practicing Spartan tactical with targets in the likeness of Xerxes. Or be banned."
Between the "sporting purposes" clause in the our US 1968 GCA and the rising support for defensive gun use (Heller and MacDonald SCOTUS decisions), sporting use is inshrined in US federal law, and self-defense is gaining in legal recognition, so we got two bases covered.
If you take the designed as weapon should be used only as weapon to its logical extreme, we should tell Olympic athletes "That javelin ain't no sporting toy. You should be practicing Spartan tactical with targets in the likeness of Xerxes. Or be banned."
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Wow! You mean the Olympics could be relevant, interesting, and worth watching again?
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